A Night In Casablanca (United Artists) (1946)

Lovely Lisette Slings A Brickbat Here’s a bouquet for American women—and a brickbat for their menfolk! “American women are the most beautiful in the world,” lauds Lisette Verea, the noted Roumanian beauty and actress brought to Hollywood by Producer David L. Loew and the Marx Brothers for their film-hit, “A Night in Casablanca,” a United Artists release now drawing a riot of laughs at the . Theatre where it is playing to a packed house every performance. “But,” qualifies outspoken Lisette, they’s terribly neglected.” Lovely Lisette, whose talents coupled with her fortune in jewels and furs have made her an exciting and envied addition to Hollywood’s smart set, blames American males for the coddling. “Your men work too hard,” she says. “They think too much of money and success. “The husband neglects his home to become a success and then salves his con¬ science by giving his wife a new fur coat. You can tell how successful he is at making money, and how badly his conscience is hurting him by the quality of his wife’s furs.” Lisette, who has yet to marry, says she probably will when she finds a man who hasn’t been spoiled by his hunger for success. Since making her American film debut in “A Night in Casablanca,” all the major studios have been trying to get her to sign on the dotted line. American men, you see, think she’s terrific! Screen Beauty Models Three Chic Evening Gowns Above: black taffeta gown with a unique, eye-catching jeweled strap holding up the extreme decolletage. Left, smooth mauve silk jersey with jeweled dots is effectively used for this Grecian model. Above: Lisette Yerea, who plays the adventuress in the Loew-Marx Brothers’ hit, “A Night in Casa¬ blanca” at the.Theatre thru United Artists release, models a charming dinner frock of black and hyacinth blue print. Mat 3A—.45 YOU CAN’T TEMPT HARPO TO UNBUTTON HIS LIP Sometimes it’s smart to keep your mouth shut. There’s one man who’s made a lot of money and ac¬ quired considerable fame by the simple device of keeping mum. He’s Harpo Marx, curly-headed, pop-eyed member of the Marx Brothers’ clan of theatrical fame. Only recently Harpo, who boasts that he’s never uttered a word on stage or screen, turned down $55,000 to say the one word “murder” in the Marxes’ new film, “A Night in Casablanca.” His producer, David L. Loew, estimated that the line “Harpo Talks” would have that amount of advertising magic. It looked like easy money to Harpo, but it also sug¬ gested “curtains” for his theatrical career. “Look at what happened to Garbo,” he says. “She talked. Remember? And, incidentally, what has hap¬ pened to Garbo?” So, unlike Garbo, Harpo refused to unzipper his lips. Harpo has been a professional mute ever since his vocal zipper got stuck when he was a little tike. He was shoved onto the stage one night with a flock of other Marxes, including Groucho and Chico, with whom he is starring in “A Night in Casablanca,” and was so petri¬ fied with stage fright that he was speechless. The audience fell so solidly for the curly-haired, bash¬ ful kid that from that night on he was part of the act. He’s been a blushing pantomimist ever since, providing a wistful foil for Groucho, the incorrigible extrovert, and Chico, the “loquacious wop.” Harpo is also musically talented, although self-taught. His choice of the harp, too, was the result of an accident. He found his grandmother’s harp tucked away in the attic and began tinkering with it. His artistry has since been lauded by the musical elite internationally. “A Night in Casablanca” can be seen this week at the . Theatre. It is a United Artists release. / A Werner Janssen Scores Werner Janssen, noted symphony conductor, had charge of the musical scoring of the current Marx Brothers* com¬ edy, “A Night in Casablanca,” which was produced by them in collaboration with David L. Loew. Janssen employed his own noted musical organization, the Janssen Symphony of Los Angeles, in recording the musical background and interludes in the film. “A Night in Casablanca” bows in on . at the . Theatre. It is being released by United Artists. Lisette Wears Her Own Lovely Jewels And Gowns in Current Marx Comedy The role of adventuress in the Marx Brothers’ current laugh riot, “A Night in Casa¬ blanca,” affords Miss Lisette Verea, the Roumanian song¬ stress, an opportunity to wear some elaborate and daring gowns. With the exception of a traveling outfit and one sim¬ ple street dress which the studio furnished, Miss Verea preferred to wear her own gowns and hats. Assisted by Fay Moore, the' wardrobe mistress, and under the scru¬ tinizing eye of Director Ar¬ chie Mayo, Miss Verea se¬ lected from the unlimited wardrobe she brought from New York lovely gowns suit¬ able for the night club se¬ quences, and negligees for the boudoir scenes. When Producer David L. Loew saw them, he wondered why Miss Verea had not been mentioned on the list publicizing the ten best-dressed women in America. Miss Verea’s priceless collection of diamonds and emeralds, which has all Hollywood gasping, are also worn by her in the film. Mr. Loew took out $75,000 worth of insurance on the jewels during the production. United Artists, is releasing “A Night in Casablanca,” which bows in on . at the. Theatre. Mat 1H—.15 Lisette Verea, who plays with the zany Marx Brothers in “A Night in Casablanca” at the. Theatre thru United Artists, deftly applies lipstick with a brush. CENTER SPREAD Get ’em at your local National Screen Exchange! Page Eighteen